I hope you are well! Enjoying the sunshine.
I have three things to share with you...
One, starting this weekend, June 20 & 21, we are changing the seating plan in the church. We will no longer have tickets. You will be able to choose where you sit. All pews in Sections A, C, & D will be open. We will alternate pews with people sitting on the ends or just in the middle. We will have the colorful circles and you must sit on a circle...but you get to choose where. We will continue to have the Family section and that section will still have every other pew closed. The Family Section allows groups of 3 or more people to sit together. Also, you still must only sit with family and/or people you live with. We will continue to bring Holy Communion to you.
Second, starting the weekend of July 4 & 5, we are changing the weekend Mass schedule to Saturday Vigil at 4 pm (Confessions at 2:30 pm) and Sunday at 9 am, 11:30 am and 6 pm. The 6 pm will continue to be outside. So the change is the addition of the 9 am Mass and changing the 11 am to 11:30 am.
Finally, we are looking for Greeters for our Masses to help navigate the COVID protocols. You would need to arrive at Mass 30 minutes prior to Mass. Once all are seated and Mass has started your ministry will be complete. We will have training for this on June 28 at 10 am. Training is mandatory. So, if you would like to serve as a Greeter at Mass and help keep people safe and healthy and can make the meeting, please email me at fjb@srweuclid.cc or call me at 216.731.1515.
Be assured of my love and prayers! I really appreciate all you are doing to help make the return to Mass go smoothly.
Peace,
Fr. John
Dear Parishioners,
This is the first update that I have really looked forward to writing in the last few months. It is in this update that we celebrate the wonderful reopening of our parish this past weekend. We had over 325 people attend one of three Masses. Praise God! We had over 400 people participating in the Mass via LIVESTREAM. Praise God! It was extremely emotional for me to look out at Mass and see people in the pews again. Wow! Words cannot describe my joy. I know we have a long way to go…but it is so great to have started this reopening phase. Thank you so much for your patience and support.
I wanted to update you on a few things:
Masses: Thank you for helping with all our “protocols” to keep everyone safe and healthy. We will continue these protocols for the foreseeable future. A few things to note:
Holy Communion to the Sick: At this time, we are not offering this. The priests, staff and volunteers are not able to bring Holy Communion to the homebound or those in hospitals or nursing homes. This is such a vulnerable population that we do not want to risk getting anyone sick. The only exception is Fr. Thom, or I would bring Holy Communion to someone who is actively dying or if you are taking Holy Communion to a family member or someone who lives in your same household.
Confessions: Confessions are every Saturday, Noon – 1 pm. We are only able to do “behind the screen” currently.
Ministries/Group/Activities: Our focus at this point is to get our Masses back up and running. All other groups and ministries are still on hiatus. In the coming weeks we will work to start back up a few with the limit of 10 people at an in-person meeting/gathering. Our hope is to be able to be back fully operating in August/September. Please check with me before making plans to start back up!
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament: Our Adoration Chapel is OPEN and available for private prayer. It is a Perpetual Adoration Chapel in which we are hope to have every hour, every week covered in prayer. We have some open hours. If you are looking for a great way to have a “date” with Jesus for an hour…this is your opportunity. Call the Parish Office!
Praise God! We are alive and well. We are getting through this. Now, please pray for healing and peace in our troubled world.
See you in Church!
Peace,
Fr. John
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
The coronavirus pandemic has brought us together in solidarity as we respond with careful focus and deep resolve to take care of one another during these troubled times that challenge us, our families, our communities, and the world. As we endure this serious situation, we take comfort in the words of Jesus as he reminds us: "and behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age."(Matt:28:20 - NABRE)
The bishops of Ohio and I have met since mid-March to discuss recommendations and requirements put into place by the state of Ohio and medical experts on our approach to dealing with the virus pandemic. Consequently -- and very reluctantly -- we agreed to suspend the public celebration of Mass beginning on 17 March 2020, to ensure the safety of the faithful and the common good of our communities.
After much discussion, and with proper consultation with the bishops of Ohio and the College of Consultors, I announce that we will begin to reopen the churches of our diocese for the celebration of public Mass beginning with weekday Mass starting on May 25. This will be done only where it can be achieved safely and where pastorally possible -- with less than 50% occupancy of the church building and respecting social distancing. This plan provides for the possibility of the gradual return to the public celebration of Mass and prepares us to celebrate the solemnity of Pentecost the weekend of May 30-31, when Sunday Mass will be celebrated publicly.
We have asked our pastors with their parish staffs to put into place a rigorous effort to fulfill specific guidelines to help keep us safe which includes instructions on maintaining social distancing, recommendations to provide a safe environment and instructions for the distribution of Holy Communion. These guidelines can be viewed on the diocesan website, www.dioceseofcleveland.org
The dispensation from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass remains in effect. The bishops of Ohio and I continue to be cautious and concerned for those who are most at risk -- the elderly and those with serious health issues. I strongly urge those who are most vulnerable to stay at home and we implore those who are not feeling well to refrain from coming to church.
I am deeply grateful to our clergy, religious and lay leaders who continued to show their love and genuine care for our people by connecting with parishioners in innovative ways. There have been many Masses live-streamed by parishes. Other parish activities included connecting with parishioners through phone calls. Some parishes opened their churches for private devotions or created inspiring videos for their websites. Thanks to everyone who played a role in strengthening our Catholic solidarity during these very challenging times.
Together we continue to pray for all who are suffering from COVID-19, for all health care workers and first responders, for all the deceased and their families, and for an easing of the anxiety and tension caused by this pandemic. Relying on the motherly care of Our Lady, especially during this month of May, we unite our sufferings to those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and we trust in the glorious hope of his Resurrection.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Reverend Donald P. Oleksiak
Greetings,
I hope this note finds you well on this beautiful sunny day! I woke up with such a sense of Hope and Joy as we begin not thinking of ways to shut down but instead ways to open our doors back up! While we have a very long way to go; I do see the light at the end of the tunnel slowly emerging.
As we develop plans, I want to share with you that these plans will be cautious and fluid to adjust to the realities of stilling being amid the pandemic. A few guiding principles:
• The best way to protect yourself is still to stay at home, especially for those of you with health issues or in a vulnerable age group. Moreover, if you are a caregiver to someone, it is probably best to stay at home.
• The obligation to attend Mass on Sunday is still dispensed and will be for the foreseeable future. Therefore, while all are welcome to come to Mass, this is a choice and choice that should be made wisely.
The focus at this point is to begin our public Worship and celebration of the Sacraments. The rest of the parish life can come back later. St. John of the Cross and Ss. Robert & William have gone through this pandemic together and will continue to go through this together until this is behind us.
We will resume public Masses on Tuesday, May 26 at 11 am at Ss. Robert & William Parish. This Mass will be for both SJC & SRW starting May 26. The TEMPORARY Mass schedule for SRW & SJC will be as follows:
Ss. Robert & William (367 E. 260th Street):
Monday – Saturday at 11 am. Mass will be live-streamed and open to the public. Mass Intentions will be offered for both SJC & SRW.
Saturday Vigil at 4 pm. Mass will be live-streamed and open to the public.
Sunday Mass at 11 is and 6 pm. The 11 am Mass will be live-streamed and open to the public. The 6 pm Mass will be held outside, weather permitting, and is open to the public.
St. John of the Cross (140 Richmond Road):
Saturday Vigil at 6 pm. Mass is open to the public.
Sunday at 8 am. Mass will be held outside in the Shrine, weather permitting and is open to the public.
Confessions will be offered at both Ss. Robert & William and St. John of the Cross, 12 Noon to 1 pm every Saturday.
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is offered at both SRW & SJC.
Ss. Robert & William offers Adoration 24 hours/day, 7 days/week. Call the Parish Office at 216.731.1515 to find out how to sign up for an hour. This is open to SRW and SJC parishioners.
St. John of the Cross will offer Adoration at St. John of the Cross in the Church every Monday, Tuesday & Thursday. It will be from 9 am to 2 pm. You can just come in a pray. In addition, we will offer First Friday adoration from 9 am to 2 pm. All are welcome and this is open to SJC & SRW parishioners.
Parish Office Hours:
Ss. Robert & William: Monday – Friday, 8 am – 1 pm
St. John of the Cross: Monday, Tuesday, & Thursday, 8 am – 1 pm
Baptisms, Weddings & Funerals can also now happen. There are some restrictions and guidelines. Frs. John, Andrew, or Thom will share these with you as these are scheduled.
For all Masses and Sacraments, masks will be required to be worn. We will have some available if you do not have one, but we encourage you to bring your own. Hand Sanitizer will be available. We will follow all social distancing protocols. We will be extra vigilant in our cleaning of all facilities. Most roles at Mass will be fulfilled by staff for the time being. We will limit the use of parishioners serving as ministers.
Please watch your U.S. mail for a letter from me to all registered parishioners with our protocols for keeping all safe & healthy!
As I said, this will be temporary and evolving as we try to figure our way to navigate through this. Please know I have given a lot of thought and prayer to these plans, discussed with staff and brother priests and we will work to do things right so we can get back to an active, vibrant fully functioning parish at both SJC & SRW.
Be assured of my prayers and I cannot wait until the weekend of May 30 & 31 when we get to come together again!
See you in Church, very soon!
Peace,
Fr. John
Dear Parishioners,
While it has only been a month and a half since this “pause” on life started…it seems like so much longer. I really miss all of you! While we are beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel, I suspect it will be a few months before we are back to normal. And I suspect that normal will not look like it did prior to mid-March. However, in all of this, we know that God is with us and He will Triumph. God is using this time for His Good and our Good. I am sure as time moves forward; we will begin to see that. For me, it has slowed me down and bit and allowed me the opportunity to “smell the roses” and see God’s goodness.
I wanted to share some updates with you:
Masses: The Bishops of Ohio have extended the suspension of Masses. “Public Masses” will not be celebrated through Friday, May 29. They do hope to have Masses start again May 30 & 31. Ironically, that is the weekend of Pentecost. How cool would that be if we got to come back then? Mass for both SRW & SJC will continue to be celebrated every day at 11 am and LIVESTREAMED via the www.srweuclid.cc website, click on LIVESTREAMING. Frs. Thom & Andrew, Deacons Joe & Tom and I look forward to offering these Masses for you all. Please know that Mass Intentions are celebrated as close to possible of the date scheduled. Moreover, we will continue to have the 4 pm Saturday Vigil Mass LIVE STREAMED.
Confessions: We will resume Confessions at both parishes. They will be from 10 am until 10:45 am each Saturday at both SRW and SJC. The only Face to FACE will be available and we ask that you please be very respectful of social distancing. We will have signs with instructions. We are happy to offer this Sacrament but need everyone to cooperate with the rules.
Parish Office Hours: Our staff will be returning to work on Monday, May 4. Many of them have been working from home. We will have limited office hours.
For SRW, Monday – Friday, 8 am – 1 pm
For SJC, Monday, Tuesday & Thursday, 8 am – 1 pm
At any day or time, you can leave a message or email as we check these regularly. We will ask that you be very careful when coming into the offices and use good social distancing rules.
Mary, our Blessed Mother: As the world continues to face the ongoing effects of the global pandemic of the coronavirus, Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles and president of the USCCB has announced that the U.S. bishops will join the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops on May 1 in renewing the consecrations of the two nations to the care of our Blessed Mother. To commemorate this, SRW & SJC will pray the Rosary every day at Noon. This will be LIVESTREAMED. Go to the www.srweuclid.cc website or FB page. We need a volunteer to lead the Rosary each day. We need two volunteers each day. One from each parish. Please email me at fjb@srweuclid.cc or frjohn@sjceuclid.com and let me know if you would like to do this. You would do it from the Church.
May Crowing: We will have a “Virtual May Crowning” on Sunday, May 10 at Noon. Join us at www.srweuclid.cc LIVESTREAMING.
Bulletins: We will start publishing bulletins again on the weekend of May 9 & 10. They will be available online and we will have a rack outside each church for you to pick one up. They will be shorter but good info available.
Mother’s Day: SRW Catholic School and Guardian Angels Early Learning Center are sponsoring a Mother’s Day Gift Give-away on Sunday, May 10. Both SRW, SJC and local community members are invited to drive thru the SRW parking lot between 9 and 10:30 am and all Mom’s, Grandma’s, Step-Mom’s, Godmother’s, Aunts and Special “motherly” people will receive a special gift and blessing. It is free and open to all!
Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament: The Perpetual Adoration Chapel at Ss Robert and William re-opened. It is dedicated to: The repose of the souls of those who have died from COVID, those suffering from the disease, prayers for a cure, and the restoration of our world. Until further notice, The Blessed Sacrament will reside on the altar in the main church and not in the Adoration Chapel. Two chairs and kneelers will be available in front of the steps to the altar. The church can be entered using the doors near the St. Pio statue that leads to the Adoration Chapel. The external doors will be unlocked from 7 AM to 6 PM each day. For those adoring from midnight to 7 AM or 6 PM to midnight, your key card must be used to enter the church. The internal church doors will be unlocked. To take an available weekly hour, please email Mike Sweet at michaelsweet@fidelis-partners.com or Fr. John at 216.731.1515 ext. 228. Thank you for considering and supporting this holy and important parish tradition, which is needed more than ever at this time.
I am sorry, this is so long, but I wanted to give you an update. The staff and I, along with a few the parishioners of our various committees, will be working these coming weeks to plan our return to celebrating Mass and bringing our parish back to life! Be assured of my prayers. Please let me know if you need anything! Just call or email me. I love you very much! We will get through this!
Peace,
Fr. John
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Dear Parishioners,
I hope you are all well! I pray you are at peace and not going too “stir crazy.” While this is a difficult time; my heart is overflowing with joy and gratitude.
Holy Week and Easter were certainly very different, but I was on quite a high celebrating the beautiful liturgies. While I missed you all very much, I sensed your love and support! I hope you enjoyed participating virtually. I cannot wait to have you back at Mass with me.
Holy Saturday was so much fun because we got to see lots of people. We had the LIFETEEN Ham & Sausage pick up, we had over 45 parishioners take an Easter Lily to over 100 elderly and homebound parishioners and then pick up Easter Basket & Food Blessing Kits. Fr. Thom did a great job putting these kits together!
Thank you so much for those who delivered flowers (and those who offered but we did not need). The people that received them loved them and were so touched. It helped several people have some cheer on Easter.
Thank you so much for your continued contributions to the parish. Many of you have dropped off your envelopes, mailed them to the parish office, given online via our website and/or Faith Direct. Our collections are maintaining, and I will be posting a report online and keep it up to date. It is very important for us to maintain strong collections. We are trying to make sure we can keep all parish staff employed. They are working remotely and/or coming in when necessary. We also still have utilities, insurance, and maintenance costs. We are trying our best to be as conservative as possible, but some bills just will not go away. So if you can do your best to continue these contributions. Perhaps tithe 10% of your stimulus check. That’s what I did.
I realize that some of you are having financial difficulties. Please know I understand and sympathize with this. Please do not worry about offertory if this is the case for you and your family. In fact, please let me know if you need any assistance. We have had a few parishioners step up to help and have some funds.
I want to assure you that I continue to lift you all up in prayer! I give thanks for your goodness. I cannot wait to see you all again soon. Let me know if you need anything!
Love, Peace & Continued Good Health,
Fr. John
Greetings,
I hope this note finds you well in our "new normal." As we enter into the Sacred Triduum I wanted to share with you the schedule and invite you to join us:
All LiveStreamed events can be found at srweuclid.cc/live-stre...
Holy Thursday: LIVESTREAMED Mass will be at 7:00 pm followed by LIVESTREAMED Adoration of the Eucharist until 10:00 pm.
Good Friday: LIVESTREAMED Stations of the Cross at 12 Noon and LIVESTREAMED Passion Service at 3:00 pm.
Holy Saturday: You can pick up an Easter Basket & Food Blessing kit from 1:30 - 2:30 pm at the rectory garage. LIVE STREAMED Easter Vigil Mass at 7:30 pm.
Easter Sunday: LIVESTREAMED Easter Mass at 11:00 am.
You can get the readings to follow along at Mass at usccb.org/bible/readin...
A few other things...
Be assured of my continued love and prayers as celebrate these Holy Days.
Please let me know if you need anything!!!
Peace,
Fr. John
April 2, 2020
Catholic Bishops of Ohio Extend Suspension of All Publicly Celebrated Masses/Liturgies
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Today (April 2, 2020) Governor Mike DeWine extended the executive “Stay at Home Order” to continue to curb the spread of the Coronavirus in the State of Ohio. Out of deep concern for the common good, as well as the physical and spiritual well-being of all the people of Ohio, the Catholic Bishops of Ohio have agreed once again to cooperate with the governor’s direction.
To that end, the Catholic Bishops of Ohio extend the temporary suspension of all publicly celebrated Masses/liturgies at least through and including Sunday May 3rd. The Bishops of Ohio dispense the Catholic faithful who reside in their respective dioceses and all other Catholics currently in Ohio from the obligation of attending Sunday Mass during this time period.
This decision has not been taken lightly and, as your bishops, together with you, we recognize the sacrifice we are called to make by being physically distanced from the Holy Eucharist and from one another.
Trusting in the graces flowing from the celebration of the passion, death and resurrection of Our Lord, we remain mindful of the hope that does not disappoint. As your bishops, we continue to encourage you to keep holy the Lord’s Day by participating in Sunday Mass by way of televised, live-streamed, or radio broadcast options and making a spiritual communion. Keeping in mind the gift of plenary indulgences offered to us by the Church, we encourage all the faithful to turn to the Church’s treasury of prayer, praying as a family or individually the rosary, divine mercy chaplet, the Liturgy of the Hours and Stations of the Cross, etc.
Please join us in praying for all who are suffering from the Coronavirus, for all health care workers and first responders, and for an easing of the anxiety and tension caused by this pandemic. Relying on the Motherly care of Our Lady, Health of the Sick, we unite our sufferings to those of Our Lord Jesus Christ, and we trust in the glorious hope of His resurrection.
Most Rev. Dennis M. Schnurr
Archbishop of Cincinnati
Most Rev. Joseph R. Binzer
Auxiliary Bishop of Cincinnati
Most Rev. Robert J. Brennan
Bishop of Columbus
Most Rev. Jeffrey M. Monforton
Bishop of Steubenville
Most Rev. George V. Murry, S.J.
Bishop of Youngstown
Rev. Donald P. Oleksiak
Diocesan Administrator of Cleveland
Most Rev. Daniel E. Thomas
Bishop of Toledo
Most Rev. J. Michael Botean
Romanian Eparchy of Canton
Most Rev. Bohdan J. Danylo
Ukrainian Eparchy of St. Josaphat
Most Rev. Milan Lach, SJ
Byzantine Eparchy of Parma
From Fr. John
Dear Parishioners,
I woke up today and realized it was April Fool’s Day. I wondered for a few brief moments if all that is going on right now in our world was just a joke and/or a bad dream. I suppose not! However, I am affirmed every day at the goodness of our awesome parishioners and community. So many people have been stepping up to help in lots of various ways.
As we enter Holy Week this coming weekend, we have a unique opportunity to enter this Holiest of Weeks in a whole new way. With many of our traditions and ways of worshiping limited this year, we can and should reflect on this most Sacred Week with a renewed sense of awe and wonder. I encourage you to participate and pray with the Live Stream Liturgies:
Palm Sunday Masses will be at 4 pm and 11 am Holy Thursday Mass will be at 7 pm
Good Friday will be Stations at 12Noon and Passion Service at 3 pm
Holy Saturday Easter Vigil at 7:30 pm Easter Sunday Mass at 11 am
Go to www.srweuclid.cc and click on LIVESTREAM. These Liturgies are for both St. John of the Cross & Ss. Robert & William Parishes.
A few other important updates:
Blessed Palms & Easter Reflection Books will be available at BOTH Ss. Robert & William and St. John of the Cross. You can drive up to the Rectory Garages at either parish and we will give them to you. You can return old palms to us and we will burn and/or bury. The times will be 5:30 – 6:30 pm on Saturday and 12:30 – 1:30 pm on Sunday.
Confessions will be available at St. John of the Cross on Monday, Tuesday, & Wednesday. They will be from 6 to 7 pm. Deacons Joe & Tom will be there to make sure we are attentive to social distancing. Only Face to Face will be available. Restrooms will be closed so please make sure you go before you come.
While there will be No Easter Food & Basket Blessing, we will have Holy Water Bottles & Blessing you can do at home available for pick up on Holy Saturday, April 11 from 1:30 to 2:30 pm at BOTH St. John of the Cross and Ss. Robert & William. You can drive up to the Rectory Garages at either parish and we will give them you. You can also drop off your Easter envelope at this time too if that is convenient. Save a stamp.
I am anticipating that the Bishop’s will extend the suspension of the Sacraments and Mass through May 1 to be in line with the federal order. I have not heard yet and will let you know as soon as I hear. However, Divine Mercy Sunday (April 19) Prayers and Novena will be offered LIVESTREAM starting at 2 pm. I will also offer some additional Confession times Easter week. More about this Novena can be found at http://www.divinemercysunday.com/.
I am still accepting pictures to hang in the pews at Ss. Robert & William so we can see you and pray for you and your loved ones as we celebrate the LIVESTREAM Mass. Email them to me fjb@srweuclid.cc or frjohn@sjceuclid.com or mail or drop off at either parish.
I would also like to collect names of Healthcare workers who are on the front lines of this pandemic. Each day at LIVESTREAM Mass we will read the names we receive and add them to a list we will keep in front of the altar. This way we keep them in the forefront of our prayer. Send names to Renee or Deacon Tom at rbarber@srweuclid.cc or deacontom@sjceuclid.com.
Be assured of my continued love and prayers! I feel blessed that no one I have heard of from either St. John of the Cross or Ss. Robert & William as having COVID – 19, but I know people who know people. So, let’s keep praying and supporting one another. We are in this together. I love you and please, please let me know if you need anything! Just call or email me.
Peace,
Fr. John
Dear Parishioners,
I hope you all are doing as well as you can at this difficult time. I am getting used to our “new normal.” I do not like it but have become accepting. I know that the Lord never gives us something we cannot handle! I feel all your prayers, love and support. I hope you feel and know of mine for you.
A few updates…
The Ss. Robert & William Adoration Chapel is now closed for the time being. It just not in anyone’s best interest to have open at this time. However, we have gone to “Virtual Adoration.” After the 11 am Mass each day, we will expose the Blessed Sacrament until 7 pm. You can go to www.srweuclid.cc and click on LIVE STREAM and you will Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. (We are working on zooming in closer).
As a parish community, we are all seeking a way to help during this COVID19 pandemic. St. John of the Cross & Ss. Robert & William Parish's provided a meal today to the Euclid Hospital Emergency Department. We are doing this again on Wednesday, March 25 and Monday, March 30. They were overwhelmed and so appreciative of our support. It was a simple act that has a lasting impact on the people on the front line of fighting this pandemic. If you would like to donate towards this, please go to https://sjceuclid.com/online-giving and put Euclid Hospital in the Comments section. Enjoy the pictures! Thank you and please lift our healthcare workers in your prayers!
If possible, I ask you to continue to make your offertory donations and general donations. Without Sunday Masses, we lose our main source of income, our Weekend Collection. You can do this in one of three ways:
You can drop off your envelope
Ss. Robert & William: Drop in the mail slot of the main door of the Parish Office or you can mail it to the parish 367 E. 260th Street Euclid, OH 44132
St. John of the Cross: Put in the mailbox next to Parish Office Entrance at Community Center or you can mail it to the parish 140 Richmond Road Euclid, OH 44143
You can enroll in online giving and give through your bank account or credit card: Go to
Ss. Robert & William: www.faithdirect.net Ss. Robert & William Parish Code: OH298
St. John of the Cross: www.faithdirect.net St. John of the Cross Parish Code is OH960
Or you can go to our website and make one-time donations. Go to:
Ss. Robert & William: https://srweuclid.cc/donate
St. John of the Cross: https://sjceuclid.com/online-giving
I realize that a lot of people are being financially impacted by this pandemic and may not be able to make donations at this time. I completely understand! But if you can, that would be so appreciated so we can keep the parish and school solvent!
Please remember we do have food, gift cards, toiletries (not sanitizer) and a little bit of financial assistance for our parishioners. Just call the parish office and leave me a message.
Please be assured of my continued prayers! We’re in this together…let’s stay the course!
Good will triumph over evil. Be assured of my love.
Peace,
Fr. John
Dear Parishioners,
I hope this note finds you doing reasonably well amidst our ever-changing reality! I have been reading that many of the early Saints spent their Lent in the desert for 40 days…in many ways we are in the desert now with so many of our daily realities changed.
I wanted to update you on a few things:
Our Perpetual Adoration Chapel is open. It is being cleaned daily and there are sanitizing wipes for you to wipe down surfaces. We also have hand sanitizer in there as well. Please feel free to use it for personal prayer.
Please send me a picture of you and your family or drop one off in the mail slot of the Parish Office door. We are taping them to the pews and remembering you when we say Mass. Email fjb@srweuclid.cc I can’t wait till they day I get to see you in the pews again…but for now a picture will do.
One of the things I am most worried about is finances. I am sure you all are worried as well! First, please know I know several parishioners have and will lose their job and/or sources of income. I am so sorry for that and please be assured of my prayers. If there is anything we can do to help, please do not hesitate to reach out. We have reserved our Outreach assistance to only parishioners and school families at this time. Just call the parish and leave a message on ext. 249. We have food, toiletries and gift cards.
If possible, I ask you to continue to make your offertory donations. Without Sunday Masses, we lose our main source of income, our Weekend Collection. You can do this in one of three ways:
You can drop off your envelope in the mail slot of the main door of the Parish Office or you can mail it to the parish 367 E. 260th Street Euclid, OH 44132
You can enroll in online giving and give through your bank account or credit card: Go to
https://membership.faithdirect.net/OH298
Our parish code:OH298
Or you can go to our website and make one-time donations. https://srweuclid.cc/donate
Again, PLEASE KNOW that I am aware of the financial stress this may cause people but if you are able to continue donations, I would be most grateful. Right now, we have enough resources to keep the parish staff paid but this will quickly run out! We also must continue to pay utilities, etc. Bottom line do what you can!
As you know all Masses, Confessions and other Sacraments have been suspended. If you or a loved one are in danger of death, Fr. Thom and I can and will minister to you. Please call the Parish Office and press 4 to be connected to our answering service.
While the Parish Office is closed, we are checking messages so feel free to leave a message.
I think that is it for now! I promise to keep you updates. Remember we are in this together. As we keep our Eyes Fixed on Christ we will triumph! If you need ANYTHING, please do not hesitate to reach out. I do have a list of volunteers willing to assist.
Love & Peace,
Fr. John
March 17, 2020
As an update...safety and health remain the priority of Ss. Robert & William. Therefore the Parish Office is closed. We are checking messages, so if you need something, Fr. John will be checking messages. Call 216.731.1515.
The Diocese of Cleveland has asked us to suspend all the Sacraments, including Confessions, Holy Communion to the Sick and Homebound and Anointing of the Sick. These Sacraments will only be available for someone who is actively dying. I am happy to come out to offer these Sacraments in the danger of death. Below I have included a prayer you can pray when you watch the Mass. It is called "Spiritual Communion" and helps you receive the graces of Holy Communion.
Continue to stay healthy and safe. Know that I love you all very much! I miss you and can't wait to see you soon. Be assured of my prayers for all!
Peace,
Fr. John
My Jesus,
I believe that you are in the Blessed Sacrament. I love you above all things, and I long for you in my soul. Since I cannot now receive you sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. As though you have already come, I embrace you and unite myself entirely to you; never permit me to be separated from you. Amen
Catholic Bishops of Ohio Suspend All Publicly Celebrated Masses/Liturgies
March 16, 2020
RE: Catholic Bishops of Ohio Suspend All Publicly Celebrated Masses/Liturgies
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
After serious consideration of the grave health risk involved in public gatherings and in order to curb the spread of the coronavirus, the bishops of Ohio have decided, effective immediately, to suspend temporarily all publicly celebrated Masses/liturgies, at least through the celebrations of Holy Week and Easter. The bishops of Ohio dispense the Catholic faithful who reside in their respective dioceses and all other Catholics currently in Ohio from the obligation of attending Sunday Mass through Easter Sunday.
This decision is not taken lightly and, as your bishops, causes us great sadness. However, after consultation with the governor and health officials we are convinced that this is the most prudent and necessary action.
Science has proven that participation in public gatherings significantly increases the risk of contagion. This poses a serious danger to those especially most vulnerable.
As Catholics, in every Sunday Mass, we celebrate the passion, death, and resurrection of our Lord. The Holy Eucharist is the source and summit of our faith. In this moment, we are experiencing in a unique way the passion of our Lord as this pandemic prevents us from gathering for the Sunday Eucharist. In this very difficult time, we encourage the faithful to turn to the Church’s treasury of prayer. Sunday remains a holy day, and we encourage the faithful to pray using the rich resources of our faith, including praying as a family or individually the rosary, divine mercy chaplet, the Liturgy of the Hours, stations of the cross, etc. We also urge you to participate in prayer by way of a radio broadcast or televised or live streamed Mass and make a spiritual communion.
Please join us in praying for all who are suffering from illness or disease of any kind, for all health care workers, and for an easing of the anxiety and tension caused by this situation. Relying on the motherly care of Our Lady, we unite our sufferings to those of Our Lord Jesus Christ, who is our healing and our hope.
Most Rev. Dennis M. Schnurr
Chairman
Catholic Conference of Ohio
Archbishop of Cincinnati
Most Rev. Joseph R. Binzer
Auxiliary Bishop
Archdiocese of Cincinnati
Most Rev. Robert J. Brennan
Bishop of Columbus
Most Rev. Jeffrey M. Monforton
Bishop of Steubenville
Most Rev. George V. Murry, S.J.
Bishop of Youngstown
March 13, 2020
Dear Parishioners,
We are certainly experiencing an unprecedented experience with the spread of the COVID-19! As a parish, under the guidance of the Diocese of Cleveland, we are taking this very seriously.
Gov. Mike DeWine issued an executive order regarding the avoidance of large mass gatherings to help limit the spread of COVID-19 in Ohio. Even though religious gatherings are expressly excluded in the order, the Catholic Bishops of Ohio -- out of concern for the common good and the physical as well as spiritual well-being of all of the people of Ohio -- have agreed to cooperate with the governor’s direction to create “social distance.” Therefore, Catholic faithful who reside in Ohio and all other Catholics currently in Ohio are dispensed from the obligation of attending Sunday Mass for the weekends of March 14-15, March 21-22, and March 28-29. Out of charity and concern for our brothers and sisters in Christ, we encourage all the faithful, in particular those who are sick, experiencing symptoms of illness or are at risk of illness to seriously consider refraining from Mass attendance. Please remember that we live stream our Masses at https://srweuclid.cc/live-stream. We live stream the 11 a.m. Mass and it is then on the website to be watched later.
Here at SRW, Daily and Weekend Mass (Saturday Vigil Mass and all Sunday Masses) and Confessions will continue to be celebrated unless we receive further directives from the Diocese of Cleveland. Please use common sense and good judgment about attending. All Masses will be in the church (no Masses in the Chapel) to allow people to spread out. We will also refrain from any touching one another and distribution of the Precious Blood.
All parish activities except for Mass, Confessions and Eucharistic Adoration Chapel will be canceled through Sunday, April 5. Day School, PSR, EDGE, and LIFE TEEN will be in contact with families to keep them updated and in touch. Our Early Learning Center is closed at least until March 23, and we will reevaluate at that time. The Parish Office will remain open with normal business hours during this time.
We will keep regular updates in the Bulletin, SRW Websites, Facebook Pages and Flocknotes. Stay tuned.
Finally, if you need any kind of assistance, no matter what, please call the Parish Office and we can see if we have any resources to help. We need to stick together as a community in this difficult time!
Please join us in praying for all who are suffering from illness or disease of any kind, and for an easing of the tension caused by this situation. May Our Lady of Lourdes, of the sick and Mother of Mercy, intercede for us, and may the Holy Spirit continue to guide and protect us all.
Peace,
Fr. John